Method and apparatus for delivery of media content

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method, including identifying recommended video clips for a user of a communication device according to a video viewing profile and video subject matter information associated with a plurality of video clips, identifying an edge cloud server for facilitating network access by the communication device at a location, determining a reduced activity period for a data path between a video content server and the edge cloud server by comparing activity information for the data path and an activity threshold, directing the video content server to store the recommended video clips at the edge cloud server during the reduced activity period, and providing a listing of the recommended video clips to an application, where the communication device receives a video clip from the edge cloud server responsive to a selection of the video clip via the application. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/403,049, filed Aug. 16, 2021, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/535,949, filed Aug. 8, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,122,311). Allsections of the aforementioned application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for delivery ofmedia content.

BACKGROUND

Modern telecommunications systems provide consumers with telephonycapabilities while accessing a large variety of content. Consumers areno longer bound to specific locations when communicating with others orwhen enjoying multimedia content or accessing the varied resourcesavailable via the Internet. Network capabilities have expanded and havecreated additional interconnections and new opportunities for usingmobile communication devices in a variety of situations. Intelligentdevices offer new means for experiencing network interactions in waysthat anticipate consumer desires and provide solutions to problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2C depicts a how fluctuations in wireless video traffic during eachday.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for efficiently delivering media content to a communicationdevice via a network. In one or more embodiments, a system can determinea video viewing profile for a user of a communication device from theuser's profile information. The system can identify recommended videoclips for the user based on the video viewing profile and video subjectmatter information associated with a group of video clips. The systemcan identify an edge cloud server for network communications with thecommunication device. The system can identify a period of reducedactivity for a data path between a video content server and the edgecloud server. The system can direct the video content server to storethe recommended video clips at the edge cloud server during the periodof reduced activity and, in turn, can provide a listing of therecommended clips to an application at the communication device. Theapplication can receive a particular video clip from the edge cloudserver upon demand. Other embodiments are described in the subjectdisclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method, whichcan include performing, by a processing system including a processor,determining a video viewing profile for a user of a communication deviceassociated with a network according to user profile informationassociated with the user. The method can also include obtaining videosubject matter information associated with a plurality of video clips,and, in turn, identifying recommended video clips for the user from aplurality of video clips according to the video viewing profile of theuser and the video subject matter information associated with theplurality of video clips. The method can further include identifying afirst edge cloud server for facilitating access to the network by thecommunication device at a first geographic location. The method caninclude obtaining activity information associated with a data pathbetween a video content server and the first edge cloud server, and, inturn, determining, a reduced activity period associated with the datapath between the video content server and the first edge cloud server bycomparing the activity information associated with the data path and anactivity threshold. The method can also include directing, the videocontent server to store the recommended video clips at the first edgecloud server during the reduced activity period, and, in turn, providinga listing of the recommended video clips to an application of thecommunication device. The communication device can receive a first videoclip of the recommended video clips from the first edge cloud serverresponsive to a selection of the first video clip via the application.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device,including a processing system including a processor and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can includedetermining a video viewing profile for a user of a communication deviceassociated with a network according to user profile informationassociated with user. The operations can further include identifyingrecommended video clips for the user of the communication device from aplurality of video clips according to the video viewing profile of theuser and video subject matter information associated with the pluralityof video clips. The operations can also include identifying an edgecloud server for facilitating access to the network by the communicationdevice at a geographic location. The operations can include determininga reduced activity period associated with a data path between a videocontent server and the edge cloud server by comparing activityinformation associated with the data path and an activity threshold,and, in turn, directing the video content server to store therecommended video clips at the edge cloud server during the reducedactivity period. The operations can also include providing a listing ofthe recommended video clips to an application at the communicationdevice. The communication device can receive a first video clip of therecommended video clips from the edge cloud server responsive to aselection of the first video clip via the application.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablemedium, including executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations. The operations can include identifying a recommended videoclips for a user of a communication device from a plurality of videoclips according to a video viewing profile for the user and videosubject matter information associated with the plurality of video clips.The operations can also include identifying an edge cloud server forfacilitating access to a network by the communication device at alocation. The operations can further include determining a reducedactivity period associated with a data path between a video contentserver and the edge cloud server by comparing activity informationassociated with the data path and an activity threshold, and, in turn,directing the video content server to store the recommended video clipsat the edge cloud server during the reduced activity period. Theoperations can also include providing a listing of the recommended videoclips to an application at the communication device. The communicationdevice can receives a video clip of the recommended video clips from theedge cloud server responsive to a selection of the video clip via theapplication.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communications network 100 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. For example,communications network 100 can facilitate in whole or in partefficiently delivering media content to a communication device via anetwork. A system can determine a video viewing profile for a user of acommunication device and, in turn, identify recommended video clips forthe user based on the video viewing profile and video subject matterinformation associated with a group of video clips. The system canidentify a period of reduced activity for a data path between a videocontent server and an edge cloud server for network communications withthe communication device. The system can direct the video content serverto store the recommended video clips at the edge cloud server during theperiod of reduced activity and, in turn, provide a listing of therecommended clips to an application at the communication device, wherethe application can receive a particular video clip from the edge cloudserver upon demand. Other embodiments are described in the subjectdisclosure.

In particular, a communications network 125 is presented for providingbroadband access 110 to a plurality of data terminals 114 via accessterminal 112, wireless access 120 to a plurality of mobile devices 124and vehicle 126 via base station or access point 122, voice access 130to a plurality of telephony devices 134, via switching device 132 and/ormedia access 140 to a plurality of audio/video display devices 144 viamedia terminal 142. In addition, communication network 125 is coupled toone or more content sources 175 of audio, video, graphics, text and/orother media. While broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voiceaccess 130 and media access 140 are shown separately, one or more ofthese forms of access can be combined to provide multiple accessservices to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices 124 can receivemedia content via media terminal 142, data terminal 114 can be providedvoice access via switching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein. In variousembodiments, the system 200 can facilitate efficient delivery of mediacontent to communication devices 216A-C via a communication network. Thesystem 200 can include a carrier network 250 including edge clouds254A-B for providing wireless communication and data services tocommunication device 216A-C. The edge cloud architecture can distributeseveral server devices 258A-B at the client-facing edge clouds 254A-B ofthe system 200 rather than centralizing these functions at the carriernetwork 250. As a result, the server devices 258A-B can be physicallycloser to the communication devices 216A-C and can provide servicesand/or data while potentially shortening network topologies.

In one or more embodiments, communication devices 216A-C, such as smartmobile phones, can connect to the system 200 via wireless base stations217A-B, which are geographically distributed to provide coverage. Eachwireless base station 217A provides a radio access network (RAN) thatimplements a radio access technology (RAT) for establishing andmaintaining two-way, wireless communications with the communicationdevices 216A-B in its coverage area. The wireless base stations 217A-Bare connected to the carrier network 250 by way of network gateway218A-B. Each network gateway 218A handles network functions forconnecting each communication device 216A to the carrier network 250 viacontrol plane functions, such a verification of subscriptioninformation, and user plane functions, such as establishing pathways fordata and services.

In one or more embodiments, a first edge cloud 254A can provideconnectivity and services for a first group of communication devices216A-B in a first geographic area, while second edge cloud 254A canprovide connectivity and services for a second group of communicationdevices 216B-C in a second geographic area. If a communication device216B moves from one geographic area to another, such that it movesbetween the coverage zones of the different wireless base stations217A-B, then communication device 216B is handed off from its formerwireless base station 217A to its new base station 217B, which takesover responsibilities for the radio connectivity. Likewise, the networkgateway 218B for the new location takes over the task of providingconnectivity to the carrier network 250.

In one or more embodiments, the edge clouds 254A-B can include edgecloud servers 258A-B, which can provide distributed access to dataand/or services at the client-facing edge cloud. In one embodiment, anedge cloud server 258A can be configured to serve as a distributed videocontent server for providing video content to communication devices216A-B that are connected to the its edge cloud 254A.

In one or more embodiments, the system 200 can include a video contentserver 234. The video content server 234 provides access to videocontent throughout the system 200, including access by the Internetnetwork 252 and the wireless carrier network 250. If a communicationdevice 216A requests a particular video content item, the request canpassed from the communication device 216A, through the cellular networkconnection at the wireless base station 217A and the network gateway218A, then through the carrier network 250 and the Internet network 252where it is processed by the video content server. To provide the videocontent item to the communication device 216A, streaming video data hasto travel back down this same path from the centralized video contentserver 234 to the communication device 216A, which can be a longgeographical distance as well as a long networking distance includingmany networks, devices, exchanges, gateways, and the like.

It is found that communication capabilities, such as available radiospectrum and high-speed networking, are among the most importantresources available to a carrier network 250. Over-the-top (OTT)providing streaming video services to communication devices 216A havebeen among the most popular and economically important applicationssince they begin dominating Internet traffic. For example, more thanhalf of the traffic for a mobile carrier can be attributable to webbrowsers or mobile applications for video services. Users areincreasingly migrating towards these OTT services from platforms such assmartphones, PC/laptop, tablet or connected TV.

Therefore, a large portion of the radio resources and high-speednetworking resources can be consumed by video traffic. Video trafficdrives the business but creates issues that can necessitate theallocation of additional spectrum and/or upgrades to infrastructure,which are not only costly but also time-consuming. Improving spectrumand infrastructure efficiency by managing wireless data traffic iscritical to, especially for video services.

In one or more embodiments, a video staging server 230 can be includedin the system 200. The video staging server 230 can perform functions toreduce the network path and improve the efficiency of the system whenproviding particular types of video content to communication devices216A. In one embodiment, the video staging server 230 can controlstorage of selected video content at edge cloud servers 258A-B. If anyof this video content is requested by a communication device 216A, anedge cloud sever 258A can provide the video content directly to thecommunication device 216A. This strategy can facilitate rapid andefficient video streaming by significantly reducing the length of thedata path.

In one or more embodiments, the video staging server 230 can access userprofile information 236 for users of the carrier network 250. Forexample, the user information for a subscriber of the carrier network250 can include the subscriber's viewing history, including mediacontent, videos, or website visited. In another example, the informationcan include purchasing history, including items purchased at websites.The information can include location history for one or morecommunication devices 216A. For example, a global positioning system(GPS) operating at a communication device 216A can determine a historyof locations for the communication device 216A.

In one or more embodiments, the video staging server 230 can determine avideo viewing profile for the user of the communication device 216A fromthe user's profile information 236. In one embodiment, the video stagingserver 230 can generate a profile describing the type of videos that theuser of the communication device 216A is likely to be interested inwatching based on the user's past viewing history, purchasing history,website history, and/or location history. The video viewing profile canlist characteristics, such as genre, length, source, topic, and/orperformers.

In one or more embodiments, the video staging server 230 can identifyrecommended video clips for the user. In various embodiments, therecommended video clips can be determined by the video staging server230 based on the video viewing profile and upon video subject matterinformation associated with a group of video clips. For example, auser's video viewing profile may indicate that the user is most likelyinterested in videos of particular subject matter, such as highlightsfrom soccer matches or highlights from nightly comedy monologues. Inanother example, the video staging server 230 can review informationassociated with the group of video clips, such a video metadata. Themetadata might include descriptions of the video clips, their content,and/or performers the video clips. In another example, the informationcan include closed-captioning data included with the video clips. Thevideo staging server 230 can compare the video viewing profileinformation to the video subject matter information. These video stagingserver 230 can use relative similarity between the subject matter ofvideo clips the user is likely to desire, based on the video viewingprofile, and the subject matter of the available video clips. As thevideo staging server 230 identifies video clips that are sufficientlywithin the subject matter that is of interest to the user, the videostaging server 230 can identify recommended video clips for the user.

In one or more embodiments, the video staging server 230 can identify anedge cloud server 258A for network communications with the communicationdevice 216A. In one embodiment, the video staging server 230 candetermine if the communication device 216A is connected to an edge cloud254A and, if so, then which edge cloud 254A. The communication device216A can be connected to an edge cloud 254A that is close to itslocation. For example, the communication device 216A can be in radiocommunication with a base station 217A and have its connection to thecarrier network 250 controlled by a network gateway 218A. In oneembodiment, a communication device 216B this connected to the carriernetwork 250 via a first edge cloud 254A can change location such that itis subsequently connected to a second edge cloud 254B.

In one or more embodiments, the video staging server 230 can preloadvideo content to an edge cloud server 258A local to the edge cloud 254A.The edge cloud server 258A can act as a local store of video content forthe edge cloud 254A. In one or more embodiments, recommended video clipsfor one or more communication devices 216A-B can be preloaded onto theedge cloud server 258A. As a result, the edge cloud server 258A canprovide video services to these communication devices 216A-B for theserecommended video clips.

In one or more embodiments, the video staging server 230 can identify adata path between the video content server 234 and the edge cloud server258A. For the data path, the video staging server 230 can accessinformation for to determine a relative loading of the data path duringdifferent time periods. In particular, the video staging server 230 canaccess information about available bandwidth, network speed, data errorrates, and/or quality of service in order to determine how loaded oractivity of the data path that would be used for downloading videocontent from the video content server 234 to the edge cloud server 258A.The video staging server 230 can determine a period of reduced activityfor the data path between a video content server 234 and the edge cloudserver 258A.

In one or more embodiments, the video staging server 230 can direct thevideo content server 234 to send the recommended video clips to the edgecloud server 258A for storage during the period of reduced activity thathas been identified. For example, the recommended video clips can bestored at the edge cloud server 258A during pre-dawn hours when networkactivity levels tend to be the lowest for most days.

In one or more embodiments, the video staging server 230 can aggregateall of the recommended video clips for all of the communication devices216A-B for each edge cloud 254A. The list of video clips can be filteredto remove duplicates such that only single copies of the video clips arestored at the edge cloud server 258A. The video staging server 230 canupdate the recommended video clips on a periodic basis. For example, theset of recommended video clips can be changed each day so as to keep thelist fresh, new, and relevant to changes in events. In one or moreembodiments, a portion of the recommended videos can selected based onfactors not related to user profiles. For example, all edge cloudservers 258A in a geographic region can receive videos with weatherinformation or with news of local interest. In another example, thevideo staging server 230 can select a portion of the recommended videosbased on popularity. In another example, the video staging server 230can add advertising videos to the recommended videos based oncharacteristics of the user profile. The user can opt into a program forreceiving this type of advertising in exchange for a reward, such asaccess to special video content.

In one or more embodiments, if a user profile indicates that acommunication device 216B tends to move between a first edge cloud 254Aand a second edge cloud 254B, then the video staging server 230 canprovide the recommended videos for the communication device 216B to boththe first edge cloud server 258A and the second edge cloud server 258B.In one embodiment, a user profile for a communication device 216B movingbetween edge clouds 254A and 254B could indicate that the user of thecommunication device 216B is interested in different content at eachlocation, such as when one location is a residence while the otherlocation is a workplace, then the video staging server 230 can generatetwo sets of recommended video clips for the user and have thesedifferent recommended video clip sets sent to their respective edgecloud servers 258A-258B.

In one or more embodiments, the edge cloud server 258A can provide alisting of the recommended clips to an application at the communicationdevice 216A. When the application executes at the communication device216A, the application can display the recommended videos to the user.The recommended videos can by in the form of thumbnails or previews ofthe video clips. When the user selects one of the recommended videos,the application can request the particular video clip from the edgecloud server 258A on demand. As a result, the system 200 allowscommunication devices 216A to provide video clip content to userswithout using the full data path to the video content server 234. Forexample, if a user of a communication device 216A selects a short video,a uniform resource locator (URL) can sent to a domain name server (DNS)at the cloud edge. The DNS can discover the address to the video. If thevideo is a recommended video, then the DNS will point to the edge cloudserver 258A, and the video can be retrieved from the edge cloud server258A. If the video is not on the edge cloud server 258A, then it canretrieved from the video content server 234 (as before). In one or moreembodiments, the DNS can provide access to multiple edge cloud server258A and 258B so that a communication device 216A can access video clipsfrom multiple recommendation sets.

In one or more embodiments, the recommended videos are typically shortvideos, lasting between 15 seconds to a few minutes. By exploitingpredictable human demands for these short video clips and the largememory storage offered by the edge cloud servers 258B, the system 200can smooth out wireless network traffic over each day. The video stagingserver 230 coordinates storing these videos at the edge cloud servers258B during times of off-peak network activity. As a result, the edgecloud servers 258B can provide this content to communication devices216B during predictable peak-hour time while off-loading the demand onthe carrier network and Internet. The recommended videos can be selectedbased on predictions on desired content based on prior viewing and otheruser-specific factors. As the video content is pushed to the edge cloudservers 258B, when the network resources are idle or less congested, thenetwork capacity can be saved by improving the network resourceutilization efficiency. By moving large video files from the streamingorigin to the edge cloud servers 258B in edge cloud locations that areelectronically closer to the viewer, this proactive resource allocationmethod can improve the quality of the end user's viewing experience.

In one or more embodiments, short videos—typically lasting between 15seconds to a few minutes—are becoming one of the main methods ofcommunication. For example, Douyin™ (known as TikTok™ outside of China)is one of the most popular Chinese short video apps showing music andspecial effects. Similarly, the short-form video site Instagram™ alsoannounced it had reached one billion monthly active users in June 2018.As short form content has become increasingly popular and consumer'sattention span has shortened, publishers and advertising have also begunexperimenting with short video ads (typically 6 seconds). As a result,short-form videos (including both social applications and video ads)have dramatically increased the overall number of users, mobile devices,and video downloads.

To efficiently and reliably deliver video content while maintaining theapplication QoE, one approach that is commonly adopted is to use contentdelivery network (CDN). By caching video content on multiple serversthat are widely dispersed across a certain geography, CDN videostreaming servers can accelerate delivery of video. However, thissolution is “pull” based, which means that, when a viewer submits arequest for a video, the video server will decide if it needs to pullthe data to that CDN server. If the video has been previously pulled tothe CDN server, and has not been replaced with some other video, thenthe viewer can directly stream the video from the nearest CDN streamingserver.

The CDN based solution can reduce network loading if the video contentpulled to the CDN server is very popular, such as is the case withtraditional popular movies or TV show content. However, short-formcontent, which tends to include a great deal of user-generated videocontent, can be very diverse with respect to various dimensions, such asauthorship, topics, sentiments, and named entities. It is notpracticable to achieve the loading reduction results of CDN, which arebased on broad range popularity, when supplying short-form videos.There, the “pull-based” CDN system loses its advantages when providingshort-form video clips due to low probability hit rates. As a result,most of the content needs to be pulled from the central server to theCDN server for each request by each user. The efficiency gain is lost.Further, video content is played during the day (waking hours),especially during the busiest hour of the early evening. This factrepresents a key challenge for network capacity, which is typicallymeasured by peak network usage, core network bandwidth, CDN bandwidth,and so forth. The popularity of OTT video applications and the large andgrowing amount of short-form video clip traffic in the Internet havecreated a significant need for a means to reduce network resource waste.Pushing the “right set” of short video clips to the “right locations” inthe network can reduce network congestion while improving performance.

In one or more embodiments, different users can present very differentvideo viewing behaviors. For example, some users may be interested insports while the others may be interested in cooking. The wide spread ofsmart devices and the fast growth of social networking also lead to moreuser uploaded videos to be shared over the Internet, which dramaticallyincreases the verities of the video content. As a result, every userwill have unique watching behavior. By using data-driven user behavioranalysis, the subject matter that is of most interest to users can beaccurately predicted and a set of recommended video clips can beselected based on these predictions. By recommending and storing at theedge cloud server selected video clips that have a reasonably highprobability of being requested. The system provides an efficient,push-based alternative.

In one or more embodiment, the video staging server 230 can use amachine learning (ML) algorithm to learn user behaviors and to predict aset of recommended videos that the user is most likely to watch. Bycombining with a recommendation system (RS) with an artificialintelligence (AI) system, a unique watch list for each user may becreated dynamically.

The system 200 can improve wireless network efficiency and yield costsavings for service provider. The system 200 can improve the quality ofthe end user's viewing experience. The mutual benefit providesincentives for collaboration between internet service providers (ISP)running mobile networks and video service providers. The system 200 canbe easily extend OTT applications in future 5G networks.

FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein. In the method 260, the videostaging server can obtain user profile information for a user of acommunication device, in step 262. In step 264, the video staging servercan determine a video viewing profile for the user from the user profileinformation. The video staging server can obtain video subject matterinformation for a group of video clips, in step 266. The video stagingserver can use the video subject matter information and the videoviewing profile information, in step 268, to identify a set ofrecommended video clips for the user.

In step 270, the video staging server can identify an edge cloud serverfor an edge cloud that provides a connection to the carrier network forthe communication device. The video staging server can obtain activityinformation for a data path that is used for transmitting and storingvideo clips from a video content server to the edge cloud server, in thestep 272. The video staging server can use the activity information, instep 274, to determine a time period of reduced activity in the network.In step 276, the video staging server can direct the video contentserver to transmit the set of recommended video clips to the edge cloudserver. A listing of recommended clips can be provided to an applicationoperating at the communication device of the user in step 278. When avideo clip is selected from this list, the communication device canreceive the video clip from the edge cloud server without requiring anaccess to the video content server.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2X, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 2C graphically depicts daily fluctuations in wireless videotraffic. It is found that wireless video traffic 290 and total traffic295 usually fluctuate with a large peak-to-valley ratio throughout aday. However, the wireless capacity of the network must be provisionedto meet the peak demand rather than the average. As a result, a cellularnetwork is typically stressed during peak hours while being largelyunderutilized at other times.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, the subsystems and functions of system 200, and method 260presented in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3 . For example, virtualizedcommunication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part deliveringmedia content to a communication device via a network. A system canidentify recommended video clips for the user based on a video viewingprofile for a user of a communication device and video subject matterinformation associated with a group of video clips. The system canidentify a period of reduced activity for a data path between a videocontent server and an edge cloud server for network communications withthe communication device and, in turn, direct the video content serverto store the recommended video clips at the edge cloud server during theperiod of reduced activity. The system can provide a listing of therecommended clips to an application at the communication device, wherethe application can receive a particular video clip from the edge cloudserver upon demand. Other embodiments are described in the subjectdisclosure.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1 ),such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part delivering media content to acommunication device via a network. A system can identify recommendedvideo clips for the user based on a video viewing profile for a user ofa communication device and video subject matter information associatedwith a group of video clips. The system can identify a period of reducedactivity for a data path between a video content server and an edgecloud server for network communications with the communication deviceand, in turn, direct the video content server to store the recommendedvideo clips at the edge cloud server during the period of reducedactivity. The system can provide a listing of the recommended clips toan application at the communication device, where the application canreceive a particular video clip from the edge cloud server upon demand.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4 , the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part delivering media content to a communication devicevia a network. A system can identify recommended video clips for theuser based on a video viewing profile for a user of a communicationdevice and video subject matter information associated with a group ofvideo clips. The system can identify a period of reduced activity for adata path between a video content server and an edge cloud server fornetwork communications with the communication device and, in turn,direct the video content server to store the recommended video clips atthe edge cloud server during the period of reduced activity. The systemcan provide a listing of the recommended clips to an application at thecommunication device, where the application can receive a particularvideo clip from the edge cloud server upon demand. In one or moreembodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generate and receivesignals transmitted and received by base stations or access points suchas base station or access point 122. Generally, mobile network platform510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers,or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g.,internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM))and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well ascontrol generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As anon-limiting example, mobile network platform 510 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 510comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 540 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 canauthorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from suchnetworks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, orroaming, data generated through SS7 network 560; for instance, mobilitydata stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside inmemory 530. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based trafficand signaling and PS gateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTSnetwork, CS gateway node(s) 512 can be realized at least in part ingateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated thatfunctionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PSgateway node(s) 518, and serving node(s) 516, is provided and dictatedby radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform 510 fortelecommunication over a radio access network 520 with other devices,such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5 , and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part delivering mediacontent to a communication device via a network. A system can identifyrecommended video clips for the user based on a video viewing profilefor a user of a communication device and video subject matterinformation associated with a group of video clips. The system canidentify a period of reduced activity for a data path between a videocontent server and an edge cloud server for network communications withthe communication device and, in turn, direct the video content serverto store the recommended video clips at the edge cloud server during theperiod of reduced activity. The system can provide a listing of therecommended clips to an application at the communication device, wherethe application can receive a particular video clip from the edge cloudserver upon demand.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: identifying, by aprocessing system including a processor, recommended video clips for auser of a communication device from a plurality of video clips accordingto a video viewing profile of the user and video subject matterinformation associated with the plurality of video clips, wherein therecommended video clips comprise a first set of video clips thatcorresponds to a first geographic location and that is determined tohave a high probability of being requested by the user when the user islocated at the first geographic location, and wherein the identifyingthe recommended video clips comprises identifying the first set of videoclips according to an indication in the video viewing profile that theuser is interested in particular content at the first geographiclocation; identifying, by the processing system, a first edge cloudserver for facilitating access to a network by the communication deviceat the first geographic location; obtaining, by the processing system,activity information associated with a data path between a video contentserver and the first edge cloud server; determining, by the processingsystem, a reduced activity period associated with the data path betweenthe video content server and the first edge cloud server by comparingthe activity information associated with the data path and an activitythreshold; directing, by the processing system and based on theidentifying the recommended video clips, the video content server topreload the first set of video clips to the first edge cloud serverduring the reduced activity period, wherein the identifying therecommended video clips and the directing the video content server topreload the first set of video clips to the first edge cloud serverenable the user to request, via the communication device, for aparticular video clip in the first set of video clips when the user islocated at the first geographic location and to receive, via thecommunication device, the particular video clip from the first edgecloud server without requiring access to the video content server; andperiodically directing, by the processing system, the video contentserver to preload an updated set of video clips to the first edge cloudserver, wherein the updated set of video clips includes local contentassociated with the first geographic location.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising directing, by the processing system, the videocontent server to not store a first video clip of the first set of videoclips at the first edge cloud server if a copy of the first video clipis already stored at the first edge cloud server.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the recommended video clips further comprise a second set ofvideo clips that corresponds to a second geographic location and that isdetermined to have a high probability of being requested by the userwhen the user is located at the second geographic location, and whereinthe identifying the recommended video clips further comprisesidentifying the second set of video clips according to anotherindication in the video viewing profile that the user is interested incertain content at the second geographic location.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first edge cloud server is further identifiedaccording to a current network access point for the communicationdevice, the method further comprising providing a first uniform resourcelocator (URL) to a domain name server (DNS) responsive to a selection ofa first video clip of the first set of video clips, and wherein thecommunication device receives the first video clip based on theproviding the first URL to the DNS.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first edge cloud server is further identified according to the firstgeographic location.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstgeographic location is determined according to global positioning systeminformation.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first geographiclocation is determined according to historical location informationassociated with the communication device.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the recommended video clips are further identified according topopularity information associated with the plurality of video clips. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the video viewing profile includesinformation associated with viewing history, purchasing history,location history, or any combination thereof.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the activity information associated with the data path betweenthe video content server and the first edge cloud server includesavailable bandwidth, network speed, data error rate, quality of serviceinformation, or any combination thereof.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the local content comprises weather information or news of localinterest.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the video subject matterinformation associated with the plurality of video clips comprises videometadata.
 13. A device, comprising: a processing system including aprocessor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations,the operations comprising: identifying recommended video clips for auser of a communication device from a plurality of video clips accordingto a video viewing profile of the user and video subject matterinformation associated with the plurality of video clips, wherein therecommended video clips comprise a first set of video clips thatcorresponds to a first geographic location and that is determined tohave a high probability of being requested by the user when the user islocated at the first geographic location, and wherein the identifyingthe recommended video clips comprises identifying the first set of videoclips according to an indication in the video viewing profile that theuser is interested in particular content at the first geographiclocation; identifying an edge cloud server for facilitating access to anetwork by the communication device at the first geographic location;determining a reduced activity period associated with a data pathbetween a video content server and the edge cloud server by comparingactivity information associated with the data path and an activitythreshold; directing, based on the identifying the recommended videoclips, the video content server to preload the first set of video clipsto the edge cloud server during the reduced activity period, wherein theidentifying the recommended video clips and the directing the videocontent server to preload the first set of video clips to the edge cloudserver enable the user to request, via the communication device, for aparticular video clip in the first set of video clips when the user islocated at the first geographic location and to receive, via thecommunication device, the particular video clip from the edge cloudserver without requiring access to the video content server; and furtherdirecting the video content server to preload an additional set of videoclips to the edge cloud server, wherein the additional set of videoclips includes local content corresponding to the first geographiclocation.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the local contentcomprises weather information, news of local interest, or a combinationthereof.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the edge cloud server isfurther identified according to the first geographic location.
 16. Thedevice of claim 13, wherein the recommended video clips are furtheridentified according to popularity information associated with theplurality of video clips.
 17. The device of claim 13, wherein theoperations further comprise obtaining the activity informationassociated with the data path between the video content server and theedge cloud server.
 18. A non-transitory machine-readable medium,comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processingsystem including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, theoperations comprising: identifying recommended video clips for a user ofa communication device from a plurality of video clips according to avideo viewing profile for the user and video subject matter informationassociated with the plurality of video clips, wherein the recommendedvideo clips comprise a first set of video clips that corresponds to afirst location and that is determined to have a high probability ofbeing requested by the user when the user is located at the firstlocation, and wherein the identifying the recommended video clipscomprises identifying the first set of video clips according to anindication in the video viewing profile that the user is interested inparticular content at the first location; identifying an edge cloudserver for facilitating access to a network by the communication deviceat the first location; determining a reduced activity period associatedwith a data path between a video content server and the edge cloudserver by comparing activity information associated with the data pathand an activity threshold; directing, based on the identifying therecommended video clips, the video content server to preload the firstset of video clips to the edge cloud server during the reduced activityperiod, wherein the identifying the recommended video clips and thedirecting the video content server to preload the first set of videoclips to the edge cloud server enable the user to request, via thecommunication device, for a particular video clip in the first set ofvideo clips when the user is located at the first location and toreceive, via the communication device, the particular video clip fromthe edge cloud server without requiring access to the video contentserver; and periodically directing the video content server to preloadan updated set of video clips to the edge cloud server, wherein theupdated set of video clips includes local content associated with thefirst location, and wherein the local content comprises weatherinformation, news of local interest, or a combination thereof.
 19. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 18, wherein theoperations further comprise directing the video content server to notstore a first video clip of the first set of video clips at the edgecloud server if a copy of the first video clip is already stored at theedge cloud server.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 18, wherein the activity information associated with the data pathbetween the video content server and the edge cloud server includesavailable bandwidth, network speed, data error rate, quality of serviceinformation, or any combination thereof.